Imagine flipping through the final pages of this soon-to-be-released Appalachian Trail super-book, and the last thing you see – the reader’s final impression – is your name. That’s what’s happening.

I’m going to auction off the last page of my book on eBay. The highest bidder wins their name, and their name only, on the last page of the soon-to-be-announced-release-of-Zach-Davis’-first-book-Appalachian Trials. It’s easy as that. I will start the auction at $0.05 with no reserve.

100% of the proceeds will go to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (eBay takes their cut because they’re capitalists*)

* – “9.0% of the item’s total cost to buyer with a maximum charge of $100.00.” (Every penny that eBay doesn’t take from Zach will go straight to the ATC).

Here’s how you can get YOUR NAME on the last page of Appalachian Trials:

The auction will end on January 31st, 2012 at 10:00 AM CST. When it does, the high bidder wins their name in the last page of my book (sorry for sounding like a broken record).

That’s it.

Some notes about the promotion:

As you know by now, I get a good chuckle out of potty humor, but I won’t put a dirty word on the last page of the book. Sorry, I don’t believe that your name is “Farty McBallSlap“.

Appalachian Trials will be released both as a print and e-book. Your name goes in both. One name, two formats.

I have contacted the ATC about this promotion (still waiting to hear back). Those who know me already know that I wouldn’t ever try to pull a Bernie Madeoff on anyone. For those who don’t know me, know that at the conclusion of this promotion, the ATC will be expecting a check from me. If I would try to pull a fast one, they would very quickly make this public and then Zach would be forced to live under a bridge for the rest of time.

Reasons Why This Promotion is Worth Your Bid

I had to write 40,000 words to get my name in it. You can accomplish the same thing with ~39,998 fewer words. That’s a good deal.

High upside. I’m pretty confident that we’ve got a winner on our hands here (really). Getting your name in a book that could potentially be popular within this very beautiful niche, is an exciting proposition.

It’s ridiculous. Your name would stand alone on the last page of Appalachian Trials. I haven’t taken the time to research if this has ever been done before, but considering most books go through traditional publishers, and traditional is Latin for boring, I’m guessing not. (Side note: Appalachian Trials is currently scheduled to be released under Good Badger Publishing (aka self-published). If in the future a traditional publisher wants to give me a cruise ship full of cash for the rights, I won’t let the last page with your name on it fall by the wayside. It’s there for the long haul.)

It’s funny. Is it not?

It’s for a good cause. Did I mention that 100% of the proceeds goes toward the ATC (the wonderful volunteers and workers who maintain our beautiful 2,181 mile path of wonder, mystery and love)?

Good Advertising. I will announce the winner of this contest on this website. Ultimately when someone reads the book and searches “Appalachian Trials + [your name]” the post announcing your victory will be what shows up in Google. They will see that your donation went to the ATC. In addition, I will let the winner write a short statement and link to the website/cause of their choice.That’s right. In-book advertising. What is that worth to you/your company? (*Note* No URLs in the book itself, only in the victorious post, which will still be seen by a lot of people. Also, I’ve had people ask if they can pool their money together and then make a fake name- YES. I love the creativity. Just no potty words, offensive phrases, or competing products.)

So, go check out the eBay bid, throw a couple dollars at the idea of your name being on the book, share the promotion with others (like this page, retweet it, e-mail friends, shout it at strangers) so we can help raise more money for this worthy organization. And then probably consider checking out Appalachian Trials.

Last note- I will announce the winner on this site andthe Good Badger Facebook Page. I suggest “liking” it so I can let you know when you win YOUR NAME on the last page of Appalachian Trials.